Nearly a thousand years have passed since the first Arab and Persian maritime traders chose this beautiful land as their home. What exists here today, the culture, cuisine, language, attire and spirit of its people, is a living reflection of centuries of cultural exchange, amalgamation and evolution.
I am in relentless awe of how incredibly talented and unique our ancestors were. They forged their own distinct path and identity. All these years, we have managed to maintain our uniqueness while being surrounded by people and cultures that look and sound nothing like us.
Having said that, would our ancestors be proud of what we have achieved as a community today? That thought crosses my mind all the time. Are we cohesive? Are we hardworking? Are we religious? Are we law-abiding? Are we civic-minded? Are we setting a positive example as a community? Do we still possess the same spirit and virtues that once defined us? These questions deserve honest introspection and careful reflection.
My experience in Bhatkal is limited to a week or two of visits once a year or once every couple of years. Having been uprooted from my town by my family while I was still a child, in pursuit of better education and a better life, I always wore my Nawayath badge with pride, always remained deeply rooted and connected to Bhatkal while closely observing its evolution and, at times, its devolution.
Our haute cuisine is second to none. You simply cannot compete with our hospitality. The talent of our young men and women is admirable. The homemakers who nurture and support their families with all the aptitude they possess are equally laudable. The beautiful heritage homes in the historic core of Bhatkal continue to astonish me to this day. Every year, when we visit, I find myself entering random homes, encouraged by gracious hosts, just to show their beauty to my children. I love watching their eyes light up when they see the beautiful courtyards and the intricacies in the architecture. The ‘hullo’, the ‘bhaan’ and all the architectural remnants of our heritage carry the stories of our bygone era. My children are mesmerized and brimming with questions, while I proudly play the role of their guide, sharing whatever little knowledge I possess.
A helping hand is offered before you even have a chance to ask! People here will go above and beyond, extending kindness and generosity even to complete strangers. And then there is our hospitality. You could visit five homes in a day, and each family would ensure, with gusto, that you never left without a meal. That is Bhatkal! The hospitality can be delightfully overwhelming, leaving you at the end of each day with a beaming heart and an appetite thoroughly indulged.
The food!! Where do I begin! Can any food in the world make your taste buds do a happy dance the way mhawre-lukha, mudkale, and khauras do? Bhatkal’s gastronomy is a story in itself that deserves an entire article of its own.
Having lived in and travelled to different parts of the world, I have come to revere Bhatkal in a way I could not have from within it. It stands apart, exuding a character and warmth that are uniquely its own.
But is it all sunshine and rainbows here?
I may ruffle a few feathers when I say this: we have much to reflect on, refine and redefine!
I do not want to take away from the efforts of our community members or the achievements of our people. There are countless individuals who have worked hard, excelled in their fields, contributed to society and brought immense pride to Bhatkal. In fact, our positives undoubtedly outweigh our negatives.
But we don't want the beast to overtake the beauty! Over the past few years, some of my visits have left me wondering about the priorities some of us have developed as individuals and families.
Our celebrations are grand, our marriages are elaborate and our tables are overflowing with food. I cannot help but notice, however, that some of us seem to overlook basic civic sense during these occasions. Beautifully dressed people engage in beautiful celebrations and camaraderie, while the surroundings are sometimes left in a state that does not reflect the beauty of the occasion.
Somewhere along the way, some among us seem to have lost sight of the purpose and principles that once guided us.
For a few among us, ostentation and triviality appear to have taken precedence over principles and integrity, sometimes steering some of our youth in troubling directions. Lawful work and honest careers have taken a back seat for a few of our youth, who are increasingly drawn towards the promise of fast and easy wealth. Alarmingly, some well-educated young people are choosing to turn away from stable jobs and becoming facilitators for illegal networks, lured by the promise of easy and quick gains. When quick wealth begins to outweigh integrity even among a section of our youth, the consequences can extend far beyond the individuals involved and affect the reputation and future of the wider community. Our youth need to understand that success is not measured by how quickly or how much money we make, but by how we make it, what we build with it and what kind of legacy we leave behind.
When materialistic aspirations begin to substitute deeper goals and values for some among us, they can create pressures that ripple through families and society. In light of this, we need to ask whether we are giving our incredibly talented women enough space and representation beyond the expectations of marriage, appearance and homemaking. Our women have extraordinary talent, intelligence and resilience. We should be encouraging our daughters and young women to pursue education, build careers, lead, innovate and shape the future of our community.
This is not taking away from our religion, traditions or values. It is about expanding the possibilities and working within our realm, still guided by the values that shape us, while ensuring that every member of the community has an equal opportunity to contribute to its growth. We are a small community. There are communities and ethnic groups around the world that are small in number but have evolved tremendously because of investment in education, lawful entrepreneurship and civic responsibility, with collective progress becoming their priority. As a result, they have garnered not only material prosperity but also respectful social standing. We can envision it, too.
Our mosques and Ijtema congregations have an important role to play. Along with religious teachings, we need to reinforce civic sense, social responsibility, honesty, respect for laws, care for our surroundings and our responsibilities towards the community. Religious, social and civic responsibility can be synergistic and amplify each other. The few young people among us who may have strayed need guidance, not simply condemnation. They need mentorship, education, opportunities and, most importantly, a sense of purpose and moral courage. There needs to be collective action and proactive effort to discourage and curb illegal activities that can damage not only individual lives but also tarnish the reputation and future of the wider community.
In recent times, we have seen some of our people lose their life savings and livelihoods, tempted by the promises of Ponzi schemes. Are our community leaders and social workers doing enough to create awareness? Are we educating our people, particularly those who may be vulnerable to such schemes, about financial scams and the dangers of easy money schemes? Are we doing enough to protect our community members from these temptations? What we choose not to acknowledge does not cease to exist.
We have faith and hospitality!
We have incredible people and talent!
We have a rich history and culture!
At the same time, there are areas where some among us need to reflect, refine and redefine our priorities.
We don't need to become a different community. We simply need to become a better version of the community we already are. Let us continue to celebrate our food, our heritage, our marriages and our extraordinary hospitality. But let us also celebrate education, honest work, moral steadfastness, innovation, civic responsibility, women's achievements and young people who choose the difficult but dignified path.
“Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of people until they change what is in themselves.” (Qur’an 13:11)
I hope my thoughts are received in the right spirit in which they are written. None of this comes from a place of criticism or negativity, but from a place of genuine love and concern for our community. I have enormous respect for our town and everything our community has achieved. I am not an outsider looking in. I was born here. Bhatkal is a part of who I am. And perhaps that is why I care enough to ask these difficult questions. They say the pen is mightier than the sword. I hope these words do not offend, but instead encourage a little introspection within our community.
My intention is not to criticize what we have been, but to reflect on what we can become.
Our ancestors gave us an identity that survived generations. The question is, what do we want to offer our future generations?
Let not our past glory be our only testimony to greatness. Let our conduct and vision today become the testimony of who we truly are! Let us all play our part in helping our perfectly imperfect town heal, grow, and rise to heights that would make our descendants proud!
About the author: Dr. Ayesha Shaziya Jubapu is a dentist with a Master’s degree and is nearing completion of her PhD. Born and raised in Bhatkal during her formative years, she is now based in the United States, where she teaches dentistry and continues to pursue her interests in writing and social issues.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of SahilOnline or its editorial team.